Japan so far: Take 2

As promised, here is the second half :)

School. 

I'm not being a doting parent or anything, but I think my kids are the cutest bunch there ever was!! Sure there a few here and there with their quirks and stuff, but as a whole, they are adorable. The first day I taught at school, I got more rounds of applause, screams, shouts, smiles and waves than I have ever had!! Felt like an international celebrity. A friend had told mi to expect silence and a blank stare when giving my introduction, but I got none of that thus far (God willing and some more), and that really made mi happy!! 

Sometimes the kids look at mi funny - as they should - when I talk to myself randomly if I make a mistake, or cause I am constantly laughing (God save mi), or when I try to gesture to explain things to them - I would get a PhD in Sherades soon. 

Teaching with the teachers is a whole new experience. Granted, there are some ways I would rather not teach English, but at the same time, I am glad to just be there and help. Plus I don't have to bring work home (which we all know is one of my preferable criteria for choosing work ^ ^). The teachers are nice and easy to relate to. Though I would rather know what I would be teaching the next day the day before, its not all that bad cause I get to school early enough (God willing) that I can work on something when I arrive. 

I think the system at my school is different from other schools, as I don't really get a segment where its all mi teaching, but team teaching all the time. Which I think is good as there is less pressure. Like someone is watching mi....that can't be fun, no?? haha.  

So my seat in right infront of the Principal and Vice-principal ^ ^ (whose bright idea was that??) lol. Essentially, I cannot be late, cannot sleep on breaks, cannot use my phone....pretty much cannot goof around at my desk especially when the principal is around....lol. He is nice though, well they both are, but the principal is ever so curious. I am either the first ALT to speak Japanese at their school, or the last one didn't speak Japanese....not sure what the translation was when they told mi lol. I know they were shocked when I said 'I speak Japanese' instead of 'I speak some Japanese/I am learning'....

School - Clubs

So I walked around the school and sort of got myself attached to the drama club. Well that was until I had to leave at 5.15 today, and they had not even gone half way through the practice >< I have to ask myself just how much commitment do I have for all that.... I mean I love hanging with the kids and all that, but I do like going to my house too lol. 

School - Cleaning

The dreaded cleaning happened today!! I was torn between sitting at my desk and walking around (note, helping to get on my knees was not on the list), but then the staff room was empty so I kinda couldn't go with option 1. Walking around felt kinda odd, cause the kids kept laughing and looking at mi like 'what is she doing/what does she want?' Eventually, I asked a teacher if I could help, and she said maybe tomorrow cause they were done for the day.... with a broom, I am good, but most of them were on their knees cleaning the ground seriously!! Thats all well and good in gym clothes, but I had on a full suit pls!! 

Well thats all for now.... ;)

Japan so far: Take 1

So I know I have been way behind on this update, and I think I would have to make this about two posts in order to convey all that has happened so far. 

Today marks a month since I've been in Japan, and a loooooot has happened in this short time, feels like I have been here for way longer. 

Where to begin.... forgive mi but I'd have to summarize, as best as I can....

Placement.

So I got my placement (trumpets!!!!) At first, I was a little disappointed, mainly cause I wanted to teach elementary school but got Junior high school. I had a week of complaining and whining, I finally got scolded by a friend to stop whining and being negative, and, it seems, by God as well. Though I must say He was quite indulgent with my whining. Felt like a spoilt kid as I listened to myself. 

Anyway.

On my first visit to the school, I got a surprise - one of the English teachers at my school also went to Ritsumeikan, the school I studied in. He was quite pleased at that fact and I think we sort of bonded over there (shhh....company prohibits haha). All the teachers were warm, nice and receptive - still are till date. So, I currently teach at a JHS school, more on that later.

Move.

Moved to a new apartment (trumpets!!!!) Its kinda odd though, cause it looks exactly like the old place. But I am happy here cause I finally get to unpack and make it look like somewhere I would have picked out for myself. Got my legless chairs coming in (which would follow mi to mars and hack hence fort), my futon would be here soon (I don't think my body would forgive mi if I don't make that sooner rather than later) and I am in search of a nice cabinet like thing for storage....Would put up pictures as soon as I have the place set up :)

Only down side is we - old apartment girls - are no longer together but thats not too bad. We are not too far apart and can meet from time to time. Plus I get to have to talk to my neighbors.... well more so cause I don't know where the trash can is in this area and need to find that like ASAP. lol. Should be fun knocking on some doors.... hopefully they are young and nice people who answer hehe. 

Feeding.

I am in need of new recipes ASAP. Like the amount of rice and spagetti I have consumed in this month can't be healthy. Everyday, my choice is between rice and spagetti....like all other things are additions but it doesn't go beyond that. Today I got some minced meat for my beloved hamburger, but the base is once more, rice.... I forget all the things I used to eat all of a sudden haha. Found out there was an African store in Tokyo, might make a trip soon over there.... if only I could drag someone with.